Robthepiano

That’s interesting. Are you suggesting the AZ4 would be a better bet than the AZ5? It seems cheaper and I already have the Skywatcher steel tripod and extension pillar. 

Ok I guess I’ll buy a Skywatcher AZ5 then!

I’m looking for a manual az mount to use with my Altair Ascent 102ed ( I already have an AZgti) but I can find very little in the way of reviews/ opinions. This Astro essentials for mount appears from adverts to manage a heavier payload. Is it just a case of pushing it to the target and how would that work at higher magnifications?

would it work better with my scope than a Skywatcher AZ5?

2 hours ago, Elp said:

Just a thought. You are using mains power or a 12v battery pack with the azgti and not AA batteries?

I respectfully think this may be a blind alley. I have never used anything but new or rechargeable AA batteries and not had a problem. 

Well I must be lucky: Skywatcher synscan link has to be selected as the telescope in SkySafari and make sure that the phone is connected to the mounts Wi-Fi, not our home! When I open SkySafari and click to connect the telescope it briefly opens the synscan app, asking me whether I am using altaz or not then that disappears behind SkySafari and I use that to star align. So it’s all done through SkySafari. 

Thanks for that but I’m not sure those answered my question!! Not to worry!

I’m slightly puzzled but have to come clean. I have Starguider 12mm and 8mm lenses and I’ve been perfectly pleased with them (also an 82 deg 16mm Nirvana and unbranded 32mm plossl which is actually very good).

I very often use either the two Starguider prime lenses and or the Starguider 8-24 zoom I have on small targets like double stars or tonight, Jupiter. I’ve come to the conclusion over time that I really can’t tell the difference! Is it my eyes? Have I got an exceptionally good sample of a zoom or two indifferent 12 and 8mm lenses?

im not unhappy about the situation just interested to know!

Thanks, I think an 8 inch dob is at the outside edge of what I would want to store/ move around but maybe a 150. And I have a skylight filter but that never seems to make any difference!

so just checking no one thinks a 5 inch wide field refractor would be an improvement?

I’ve got a pair of Steiner Skipper or Navigator which I use. I think they are intended for yachting so you just set the focus on something distant and then never alter it. I did have 10x50s but didn’t find it easy to hand hold them. I also have some Bushnell 8x42 Ed and it’s a toss up which to use. They magnify a little more and have just as wide a field of view but you have to focus of course - they’re more for bird watching. 

Thanks, I think an 8 inch dob is at the outside edge of what I would want to store/ move around but maybe a 150. And I have a skylight filter but that never seems to make any difference!

I’m presently using an Altair Ascent 102ed scope in an az Gti mount in Bortle 4 skies. I’m very pleased with this as a good all rounder and quick to setup. Anything faint tends to be a disappointment though and I wondered about a second inexpensive scope to supplement this when I want to target faint fuzzies. Would something like a short tube refractor like an st120 be a help?

I use the az Gti with an Altair ascent 102ed which is the same weight as the Startravel 120. It copes perfectly well plus 2 inch diagonal and accessories but I have the heavier duty steel tripod linked to above and as long as the scope is balanced. 

Well for goodness sake don’t imagine that any 120 refractor even a shorter widefield one is going to be remotely portable! And it will need a much beefier mount!

you must start thinking from what you can easily manage to carry/ transport, not your ideal at this stage! 

Would you consider a wide field refractor like this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-102-az3.html

at 3.8kg including mount it would be easily portable, fairly robust and give you some great views till you have somewhere you can use a dob.